LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (June 24, 2025) — Today the Arkansas Department of Commerce and the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced the Arkansas seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained stable at 3.7% between April and May. The United States jobless rate was also unchanged at 4.2%.
Arkansas Civilian Labor Force Summary:
In May, Arkansas’s civilian labor force increased by 615 with 658 more employed Arkansans. The state remains at record-high civilian labor force and employment levels. The small changes between April and May were not enough to impact the unemployment rate, which remains at 3.7% for a third consecutive month.
Compared to May 2024, employment in Arkansas is up by 12,386 and there are 4,701 more unemployed Arkansans actively seeking work. Both added to the size of the civilian labor force, pushing the labor force participation rate up two-tenths of a percentage point over the year.
Arkansas Nonfarm Payroll Job Summary:
In May, nonfarm payroll jobs in Arkansas rose 3,400 to total 1,388,500. This increase set a new record-high number of jobs in the state. Six major industry sectors added jobs over the month. The largest increase occurred in Leisure and Hospitality (+4,000), related to seasonal hiring.
Compared to May 2024, nonfarm payroll jobs are up 19,100. Notable growth was posted in Private Education and Health Services (+8,900), Trade-Transportation-Utilities (+5,300), Manufacturing (+2,400), and Leisure and Hospitality (+2,300). Construction had the largest decline over the year (-2,000), related to the completion of several major projects.
